Sacred Heart RC Church

The Sacred Heart is Wimbledon's Catholic parish church and a prominent landmark on the ridge between Wimbledon and Raynes Park.

The church was funded by Edith Arendrup, a member of the Courtauld family who, having moved to Wimbledon, persuaded the Jesuits to begin a mass at her home in 1877. Seven years later she paid for the building of the present church, to designs by the architect Fredrick Walters (1849-1931), who also designed Buckfast Abbey. The nave was completed in 1887 and the rest of the building by 1901. A planned tower was replaced by twin turrets flanking the west front.

The exterior is of knapped flints with stone dressings. Designed in the decorated Gothic style, the interior resembles an abbey, with an aisled nave, with a tall clerestory, leading to a chancel with an ambulatory and radiating chapels. The dimensions are impressive: the nave is 100ft long and 60ft high. The arcades carry niches with saints connected with the Jesuit Order. The church has numerous late Victorian and 20th century fittings, the best of which are found in the St Ignatius Chapel in the north aisle.

The church normally has three daily masses (six on a Sunday, plus a Saturday night vigil mass) and is the centre of a vibrant parish life.

A very lovely place to be, to be close to God. I have to echo the sentiments of the previous reviewer regarding the choir - divine

This is a beautiful gothic church, built in the 1800's by one of the wealthy Courthauld family who lived in Wimbledon, a lady by the name of Edith Arendrup. According to the historical records, the architect was a Frederick Arthur Walters (1850-1932) and Edith wanted a place where the Jesuits priests could hold mass for the local community. The Sacred Heart Church took over 20 years to fully complete. Since then, various architects have been bought in to revamp various parts, such as the sanctuary.

History aside, it is a beautiful church - both interior and exterior. Very ornate, with an amazing carved font and heavily-decorated altars and nave, it is well worth a visit even if you are not especially religeous. The choir sits at the back of the church, high above the congregation, and they often hold concerts to raise much-needed funds for the church. The choir are amazing, real spine-tingling and heart-soaring stuff.

The Church runs many different activities and has a weekly newsletter. It has a thriving congregation and services are always busy.

The church has a very warm, welcoming presence and its a lovely place to just sit and think.